McComb senior Destiny Smith has taken advantage of an opportunity to accomplish a dream.
The versatile basketball player has committed to continue her basketball career and major in sports medicine at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Smith will join the Lady Eagles to play for Joye Lee-McNelis, who has been at the helm of the program for 13 years.
The senior made the decision despite signing day being in November and having offers.
However, for her, the move was a no brainer.
“I love the environment. I feel like family was there,” Smith said. “I noticed that the love was there. I had many options, but I chose Southern Miss.”
In preparation for the upcoming season, Smith competed at the AAU level, which she said helps her not only for this upcoming season, but for her college career.
“Playing AAU over the summer, it was more competition,” she said. “I felt like AAU was a perfect example of playing on a different level and getting to know how you have to play on that certain level.”
Smith has also had to nurse a shoulder injury that she suffered last season, but reaggravated over the summer when the Lady Tigers were competing at an event in Brookhaven.
Smith said her sprained rotator cuff is in good shape and she is ready for the start of the year.
Smith’s former coach and mentor Chadwrick Johnson said Southern Miss is inheriting a diverse player who can do many things well on the floor.
He recalled a moment around five years ago when he was an assistant coach under Angelia Johnson at McComb High School when Smith impressed them.
“I think she was in sixth grade and we went a little summer tournament in Jackson,” Johnson recalled. “I got a chance to see her then, but from that moment, we moved her up to the varsity as a seventh-grader. The potential was limitless and we saw that early.
“She’s grown, but she’s had confidence,” he added. “She’s just worked to become what she is today, which is a great, great basketball player.”
McComb’s current head coach, Charlton Grey, said Smith is not your typical player.
“Destiny is a special talent,” he said. “She listens, she’s hungry. She told me ‘coach this is my senior year, I’ll take you as far as I can.’ “
Before Smith heads to Hattiesburg, she has one more season to suit up with the Lady Tigers.
She said her leadership will be key for the team as they look to accomplish the goal of a state championship.
“I’m very excited,” she said with a smile. “I feel like I have many fans. I have kids that’s looking up to me and their time is coming. I have to set a perfect example for when their time comes.
“I have to take over. I feel like leadership is very important,” she continued. “I have to takeover and control my team and just be a bigger player. I’m excited to have the opportunity to be someone. To make it out of high school, and to enter college.”
Johnson said he was happy Smith was able to fulfill a dream she’s had for quite a while.
“Me and her have had several conversations and Southern Miss has always been her dream school,” he said. “I asked her if she could go to any school in the country where would it be and she said Southern Miss, so her dream has truly come true.”
